Suggestions?

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

HI,,

Recent new grad here, and working my old med/surg floor where i worked as a LPN.

I left my shift last night feeling totally worn out. Every one of my 10 patients had low grade temps >99. My question is,, im sure most of this is from the fact that the CDB and Incentive Spiromenters are not being utilized. I have tried emphasizing this in report, ive tried going through and checking flow sheets for documentation and reminding people.

Is there any suggestions on how to get your team members to understand the importance to prevent atelectasis/pnuemonits?

I really dont want to resort to write-ups, but im getting really frustrated. Any suggestions?

[RN-PA, RN]

I know it's a problem, but with the patients who are oriented, I try to motivate them with scare tactics explaining the potential consequences of not using their IS/CDB. Then, I have them demonstrate their technique, enthusiastically praise them if they're using the IS correctly, and instruct them in correct technique if they're not using it therapeutically. Many patients are compliant, many aren't, despite nagging and encouragement. At our hospital, it's been up to the nurses to keep up with patients using their IS, but with increased acuity and decreased staffing, it's frequently difficult to impossible to keep all the balls in the air, so to speak, so you just do the best you can.

[shannonRN, BSN, RN]

maybe you can ask your manager about doing an inservice...you could even get respiratory in on it..if you want. when i do my initial assessment, i usually teach the applicable patients the importance of the whole IS/TCDB. many times there are family members there at this time...sometimes it helps because then that family member kindly reminds them to do this every so often.